[Check Codes]

I am glad I am not one of those people.
It is now a matter of principle about the sync thing.

I am trying to get someone at MB to shed light on this matter.
I have written to MB Stuttgart Germany, where the car was made, and asked them the same questions.

I hope to receive a reply shortly.

It would be nice to just get a definitive answer from MB, but it seems like MB is sticking to their story about sync.

Not that I am without sympathy to your situtation, since I can't stand dealers and their chintzy ways, but didn't you already make a deal with this dealer? If you did, then that's your deal. You either back out entirely and request/demand a refund, or you go through with it. Bargaining is done before the deal is agreed to...at least usually. They're treating you with the same disrespect they treat all of their customers, so don't feel too put-upon.

I mean turn it around. If you were selling your car and your buyer agreed to a certain price, but then said he wanted to pay you less ... well, what would be your response?

Good luck. At least you don't own a Bentley. That's really bad.

 

[lupoelsker]

Not that I am without sympathy to your situtation, since I can't stand dealers and their chintzy ways, but didn't you already make a deal with this dealer? If you did, then that's your deal. You either back out entirely and request/demand a refund, or you go through with it. Bargaining is done before the deal is agreed to...at least usually. They're treating you with the same disrespect they treat all of their customers, so don't feel too put-upon.

I mean turn it around. If you were selling your car and your buyer agreed to a certain price, but then said he wanted to pay you less ... well, what would be your response?

Good luck. At least you don't own a Bentley. That's really bad.

No response from Germany. No surprise.

I have the keys waiting for me at the dealer, already paid for.
I have an appointment, Tuesday, and was told $50.

That's it. I will show up, get my keys, let them do their thing, pay, and leave.
I have no intention of asking for a discount, whats done is done.

The last thing I want is a bad relationship with the dealer.

 

[lupoelsker]

New Key

Shiny new key.

"Programming" at dealer, only $49.18.

Bonus: Grease all over center console, steering wheel and shifter.

New blade key was the wrong one, and they have to order the correct one.

Couple of days, and they will mail it, free.

Who says you don't get anything for free from the dealer.?

Free grease, AND free shipping.

 

[Kajtek1]

Sounds like they took the car for free joy ride as well?
You've been taken.

 

[lupoelsker]

Thank you

Just wanted to say thank you to all those members, and Moderator, who added their professional, and courteous replies to all my questions.

That's what makes this the best Mercedes Benz board on the internet.

Appreciate it.

 

[Kajtek1]

No matter how rude that might sound, you are the first one I met on this forum who willingly let others to rip him off.
I understand your point that you did not want to create situation with the dealer over $50, but I always prized MB owners to be exceptional group of people.
I do have that taste in the mouth, that forum did fail you. Not that I did not try otherwise, but failure is failure. Sorry for that.

 

[71_340]

No response from Germany. No surprise...........

Just wondering, what do you mean by that statement?

 

[Kajtek1]

Regardless what he meant, MB got badly burned with Chrysler deal and I don't blame they want to cut the links with US citizens - leaving it to MBUSA
I do have a situation with German Krause ladder that I bought over 20 years ago. I love the multifold options but my wife used it once last year and broke 2 latches (no kidding). I emailed Krause about the parts and 2 weeks later got response that they don't do business on US market anymore. Chinese will ship you the parts for their products, but not German.

 

[atec77]

Regardless what he meant, MB got badly burned with Chrysler deal and I don't blame they want to cut the links with US citizens - leaving it to MBUSA
I do have a situation with German Krause ladder that I bought over 20 years ago. I love the multifold options but my wife used it once last year and broke 2 latches (no kidding). I emailed Krause about the parts and 2 weeks later got response that they don't do business on US market anymore. Chinese will ship you the parts for their products, but not German.

True comment , I needed a spare key fob for a w210 and the local stealer proved far to expensive , an imported $11.20 replacement fob and blade , a couple of $ for cutting and $20.00 worth of components saw a spare generated . Now I know not everyone can do this but the key shouldn't cost more than $50.00 in volume imho .

 

[71_340]

Yes, the keys are expensive but what choice do you have! I am sure it would be technically possible to reprogram a used key; the problem is that nobody does it.

With that said, try to buy a smart key for aone of the newer cars with push button start; they cost even more. Also, what we sometimes forget is that we drive 50K cars (when new), just because we paid a fraction of that for our old, used MBs doesn't mean you don't have to pay a premium to maintain it. A Chevy Cavakier or Ford Escort woul be in order if one looks for that.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Peter Guenther]

Some dealer still belive in the philosophy that they can charge what they want, especially in populated areas especially on the coasts.
This reminds me of an occasion where I had my car in for service and they called with a list of things to be done. I called back and stated that those things were done at another dealer, their answer was that their records did not show it (duh). I spoke to the service manager and got a luke warm response. I also spoke to the shop foreman (good friend) who confided mechanics get paid by the job, any items they sell is more money for them. I furthermore found out they can end up making a 40 hour a week job into a 50 or more paid hours as long as they are in there.

 

[tirona]

kia and hyundai dealers are charging close to $300 for replacement keys and another $75-100 reprogramming fee, and you guys complain about a $50 synchronization fee from mb dealers who sell cars 3-10x more expensive than kia and hyundai. cheap bastards

 

[billy-whizz]

I have just bought a used 2006 A-Class as a spare car. It has a few minor issues, which I knew about and am happy with because I got the car half price. Fixing the niggles lets me get to know the car very well and I am very impressed with moswt of the detailing on the car - it is a pleasure to work on.

What I hate about it is the total lack of support from the manufaturer: No repair manuals easily available, no access to the kind of self-service information some other marques enjoy and ---I must add ---- having joined eight different forums including this one, no effective support on the internet!

I have a small problem with my gear selector, which I posted everywhere and am sorry to say I have had NO ADVICE WHATSOEVER from fellow forum members.

I am also in many american, british, jap and italian owners clubs and have good support from all of them...why nothing from MB forums????

 

[lupoelsker]

Just wondering, what do you mean by that statement?

The whole point of my original post was to determine if:
A. Sync was necessary.
B. Could I do it myself.
C. Does the car have to go to the dealer.

I got an immediate response from MBUSA saying that yes, sync was necessary, and yes the car needed to go to the dealer.

I asked MB Stuttgart Germany the same questions. (twice)
They did not reply as I presume sync is a multi billion dollar income for dealers worldwide, and I was in the USA. They were not about to contradict MBUSA, and I should have written to them in German.

Many members here have done their own sync, and it worked.

Lastly, had I just picked up my keys from the parts department and tried to do it myself, I would have had a serious problem, as the blade key was the wrong one, and did not work.

I am still waiting for the correct blade key from the dealer.

It was NEVER just about the $50.

So even now, after this long and boring thread, there is no DEFINITIVE answer, or procedure to add to the stickies.

 

[Kajtek1]

you are negating experience of tens or even hundreds of forum members, who got their keys in the mail in the past, or straight from the parts department. Than you suggest you are right and those tens or hundreds are wrong.
This simply ain't right

 

[lupoelsker]

you are negating experience of tens or even hundreds of forum members, who got their keys in the mail in the past, or straight from the parts department. Than you suggest you are right and those tens or hundreds are wrong.
This simply ain't right

Then post the correct way to do it in the stickies.

 

[Kajtek1]

What exactly you would like to see in stickies?
"Put the key into ignition and drive away" ?

 

[lupoelsker]

What exactly you would like to see in stickies?
"Put the key into ignition and drive away" ?

Exactly.

 

[raymond-]

as a 'learning moment' i've linked this thread to the title "synchronizing a new Smartkey' in the STICKY

in addition, when MBUSA says one thing but we have anecdotal evidence which says another, we're
really not in a position to say affirmatively, they are liars or anything. rather, we just post content
from end users in the field who have experienced otherwise. in the end, let the consumer decide
what they're willing to do/gamble.

in the STICKY's CHEAT SHEET document, it highlights a number of links to the MBUSA Technical DVD
which features wonderful technical data and videos. it's a little buried, but it does give the reader
a indication that the interrogation between the central locking system and the key is performed
each time the key is inserted.

the dealer DOES NOT have the ability to program the key. this is done in Texas (here in the US)

Chinese hackers/manufacturers have boasted of their success producing Smartkey copiers but
there hasn't been anyone here in the US reporting their success in using one of these.

the dealer does have SDS/STAR which can be used to toggle car module systems

on guy (Ebay) offers to retrofit your Smartkey gen2 over to gen3 chrome key (only).
he doesn't claim this for gen1. he cannot do this for chrome key1 (single panel button)
over to the latest/revised chrome key2 which features individual buttons

the car's central locking system does the rest of the 'programming'
by itself and generally does not require dealer intervention.

 

[RichardM98]

At the dealer this morning for separate issue but asked about a new Smart Key at the parts dept. $250 plus tax -- no programming required. I have a 10% parts discount so it should be $225 plus tax.